Epilogue to Ireland & Scotland 2013 trip
posted in July 2015
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In July 2015, twenty months after the trip, I had an unexpected inspiration to write down some impressions from the Ireland-Scotland trip (Sept-Oct 2013) with 2 of my 3 sisters, Doris & Mary, who planned the entire trip. I think Mary planned the Ireland part and Doris the Scotland part.
As a traveler I had the good fortune, for two weeks, of not knowing where our next destination was, starting from the time we landed at Shannon Airport. We never discussed the destinations beforehand so I never looked at maps or other info-sources, before the trip.
When I posted web pages in late 2013, I failed to acknowledge Doris' and Mary's efforts to plan the trip, so on this page I wish to apologize and acknowledge the work they did, and confirm how well it turned out. Every day overseas was interesting and rewarding, and, our accommodations were the best.
OVERNIGHT STAYS
Ireland
Castlegregory - Castle B&B - a high quality home, out in the country, easy to find. The area is completely quiet at night. Our en suite rooms were comfortable & spacious. The friendly hosts here serve a superb breakfast.
Ventrys - Ceann Tra' Heights B&B - This B&B has especially comfortable rooms, and great owners, easy to talk with and they serve a great breakfast.
Kilarney - Mountain Dew Inn - We stayed two nights at this in-town B&B. with onsite parking and it was quiet at night. Animated woman owner here, very attentive. A huge selection of candy bars & junk food in the b'fast room, left out 24/7, was a bit weird.
Cobh - Elmville House - a charming mid-1800's home with ultra-modern basement-level en suite rooms, large and comfortable. There are also a few upstairs rooms in the main house. This place is first class in all areas, and the owner is cosmopolitan & fun to chat with. She has two daughters who live in Australia, where she visits in the off-season.
You must print out a map ahead of time for how to get here because smart phone GPS did not function. We knew we were within say a mile of the place, but, it took us 40 somewhat frustrating minutes to get there and we repeatedly had to call the owner to get verbal directions. Once there, the owner did not seem to be cognizant of the need to post an access map on her B&B website, or on her business card.
Nonetheless, this place is well worth staying at, with modern place settings as a nice contrast to the elegant mid-1800s dining room, right out of a Jane Austen novel. From the B&B it is a simple fifteen-minute walk into town, so Cobh is a great place to leave the car behind.
Tramore - Oban House - This B&B is easy to find, in the suburbs of a tiny coastal town. We were here two nights, in a modern home, in good condition, and Tramore is another 'leave the car behind' town. Two nights in a row, we found really good restaurants and Pubs, only a short downhill walk from the B&B.
The owner here is a great conversationalist and she has a lot of family photos all about, inviting story-telling. She is gracious & easy to like, and serves a great breakfast.
Ennis - Glenomra House - We were here for one night. This highly rated B&B has easy freeway access to get to nearby Shannon Airport. It is on a main road in the older suburbs. There's no lift. We had 2nd floor rooms with a view of a good-sized back yard. Mary, the owner, was at the National Hurling Championship game in Dublin with her son, the night before, getting home at 2 am, yet she served a complete breakfast for many early-risers at 6 am. (My sister Mary had an 8 am flight to the US from Shannon.)
SCOTLAND
Glasgow - Jury's Inn Jamaica Street - coming from the airport, and not knowing how many downtown streets are one-way, we had a challenge getting to this place. But once in, it was quiet and pleasant.
Stirling - Monument View B&B - is in a pleasant suburban neighborhood. Owners are nice with good quality rooms and a fabulous breakfast. Easy to find and in walking distance of the Wallace Monument. At night I could see the illuminated Wallace Monument through the room's skylight, until midnight.
Callendar - We stayed one night at Coppice House, an elegant historic home. The owners - the guy is very knowledgeable about local terrain, being a former ice-climber in the area. He gave me some photo books to look at overnight. His wife is a teacher & they have teenage kids. We had another fabulous breakfast in a Victorian setting.
Pitlochry-Wellwood House is one block uphill from the main road. This charming small hotel has a granite exterior and wood interiors, and third floor loft rooms for their Polish workers. This was by far the most charming overnight stay on the trip & we were here two nights.
Edinburgh - White House B&B - A major reason to stay here is because the B&B is easy to access, important for us out-of-towners. The house is on Corbiehill Rd., a rare left turn, with a light, coming into town on the A90. As soon as you make the turn, you're there. This means easy driving access to & from EDI airport.
The B&B is also on a main bus line into the City with the stop being one house away, so this is a fabulous jumping-off place to get to center city, Princes Street for 20 pence, taking about 20 minutes.
The B&B owner is a very good conversationalist and we (being the only guests at the time) enjoyed talking with her. A great breakfast here is the norm. We were here two nights.
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